Leviticus 10:16

King James Version (KJV)

And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

Moses diligently sought the goat - The goat which was offered the same day for the sins of the priests and the people, (see Leviticus 9:15, Leviticus 9:16;), and which, through the confusion that happened on account of the death of Nadab and Abihu, was burnt instead of being eaten. See Leviticus 10:16-18.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

The Law on the point in question was clear. See Leviticus 2:3, note; Leviticus 4:5, note; Leviticus 4:15 note. But on this occasion, though the sin-offering which had been offered by Aaron was for the people Leviticus 9:15, its blood was not carried into the tabernacle. The priests might therefore have too readily supposed that their eating the flesh, or burning it, was a matter of indifference. Hence, Moses explains that the appropriation of the flesh by the priests is an essential part of the act of atonement Leviticus 10:17.

It was burnt - It was consumed by fire in an ordinary way, not; in the fire of the altar. See Leviticus 1:9.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

Afflictions should rather quicken us to our duty, than take us from it. But our unfitness for duty, when it is natural and not sinful, will have great allowances made for it; God will have mercy, and not sacrifice. Let us profit by the solemn warning this history conveys. When professing worshippers come with zeal without knowledge, carnal affections, earthly, light, vain, trifling thoughts, the devices of will-worship, instead of the offering of soul and spirit; then the incense is kindled by a flame which never came down from heaven, which the Spirit of a holy God never sent within their hearts.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

16. Moses diligently sought. Moses was still in charge, making sure that all was done as God commanded. When a goat was used for a sin offering, the blood was not carried into the sanctuary but placed on the horns of the altar of burnt offering. According to the law, the flesh in such cases should be eaten by the priests (ch. 6:26). That day a goat had been offered as a sin offering (ch. 9:15), and since the blood was not carried into the sanctuary, the flesh should have been eaten. This had not been done; consequently, the symbolism of the service had been effectively marred.

In failing to eat the flesh Aaron also failed to bear the sins of the people. He could not make atonement for sins he did not bear. This was what made the mistake so serious. The sins that the goat bore should have been transferred to the priests, who would make atonement for them. But in this case there could be no transfer because the priests had not eaten the flesh. All the goat could do was to die. But the work of intercession remained to be done.

He was angry. Moses was noted for his meekness (Num. 12:3), but that did not prevent righteous indignation. At one time his indignation was so great that he threw down the two tables of stone and broke them in pieces, an act for which God did not rebuke him (Ex. 32:19). God Himself was angry (Ex. 32:9, 10). Moses’ anger did not immediately subside, for when he saw the golden calf he ground it to pieces and made Israel drink the water (Ex. 32:20).

There are times when righteous indignation may appropriately be displayed. It is at such times, doubtless, that Paul’s advice applies, “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Eph. 4:26). Of himself Paul says, “Who is offended, and I burn not?” (2 Cor. 11:29). When Paul saw others mistreated, he was indignant. The word here translated “burn” means “to be set afire.” When Moses broke the tables of stone his “anger waxed hot.” For this Aaron reproached him (Ex. 32:19, 22), feeling there was no occasion for anger. But, as pointed out, the Lord agreed with Moses that there was just cause for anger. His anger was due to zeal for God and His cause, not to personal pride or vindictiveness.

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Cross References

the goat

angry